This blog was last updated on August 28, 2024.
Boulder, Colorado is beautiful.
It’s tucked into the Rocky Mountain foothills and perfectly positioned between the mountains and the city. It’s one of our favorite places to take friends and family when they come to visit because it honestly has something for everyone. That’s the case for elopements, too. Whether you want a nature spot or a city vibe, eloping in Boulder is a great choice for anyone.
Above: Chautauqua Park
Best Places for Eloping in Boulder
Lost Gulch Overlook – If you want more of a nature vibe, Lost Gulch Overlook is a great option. It’s part of Chautauqua Park and has some amazing views of the Flatirons. It is super high up and you’ll be near the edge of the overlook, so if heights aren’t your thing, this isn’t the spot for you.
Chautauqua Park – This is a super popular spot for all kinds of photos! Weekends are by far the busiest time, so if you want privacy during your elopement, I recommend an early sunrise elopement or a weekday. There’s a lot of space to work with, so even if it is crowded, I’ll make sure you’d never know when you look at your photos.
Brainard Lake – It’s not technically eloping in Boulder, but it’s close enough! Brainard Lake is stunning, especially in the summer when all the wild flowers show up. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Boulder.
Hotel Boulderado – If you and bae want a city vibe for your Boulder elopement, Hotel Boulderado is an amazing spot. It has such a moody, vintage vibe, and helps create some gorgeous photos. It’s also close to the Boulder Theater, which has the most badass neon sign out front. Nighttime photos there are EPIC!
How to Get There
Boulder is only a 30-minute drive from Denver, making it easy to hop on the highway heading out of downtown. There are over 3,700 public parking spaces in their downtown area, whether you prefer parking garages close to all the action or street parking. If you want to do some eco-friendly exploring while you’re there, you can rent bikes through their B-Cycle program.
Where to Stay
You’ll have tons of choices for lodging after eloping in Boulder. I’m an Airbnb girl, so I recommend checking what options are available during your trip before looking into any hotels. If you do decide to go the hotel route, some of the most popular places are the St. Julien Hotel and Spa, the Hotel Boulderado, Basecamp Boulder, and The Bradley Boulder Inn. Boulder does tend to be on the pricier side, so you could also check out your options in towns nearby like Louisville, Superior, and Broomfield.
Above: Hotel Boulderado
Sites to See
- Pearl Street – If you talk to anyone who’s traveled to Boulder, I can guarantee they spent time on Pearl Street. It’s a cute, brick-paved street in the heart of the town and is the perfect way to spend an afternoon regardless of the season. I love window shopping and stopping for cozy hot chocolate when I need to warm up in the winter or a cold ice cream cone when it’s hot AF. If you do only one thing when visiting Boulder, Pearl Street has to be it.
- Flatirons – Boulder isn’t up in the mountains, but you still get the mountain views thanks to the Flatirons. They’re made up of big, slanted slabs of sandstone and are a backdrop unique to Boulder. Chautauqua Park is a great spot to see them up close, and if you’re down for an adventure there are tons of trails you can hike.
- Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse – Hear me out. Even if you’re not a tea drinker, this place is SICK. It was handcrafted and imported all the way from Asia, so it feels like you’re in a whole different world. It’s stunning. I would highly recommend making a reservation if you’re interested in going – they offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a traditional tea time.
- Museum of Boulder – History nerds, like Alex, will love this stop to learn more about how Boulder became Boulder. They have interactive exhibits so it’s not super boring, and it’s conveniently located right downtown. If you go, make sure you go up to the roof! The views of the Flatirons are some of the best around.
What to Do by Season
Where do I even start? Like I said, you’ll be able to find something exciting for whoever you’re traveling with and whenever you’re eloping in Boulder.
Summer (June – August)
- Boulder Farmers Market – Named one of the country’s best, there are 150 farmers and other vendors selling veggies, cheese, pastries, and more. It runs every Saturday morning from April to November, and every Wednesday night from May to October. On Wednesdays you can listen to live music and check out their food court for pizza, dumplings, barbecue, and, my personal favorite, ice cream.
- Art Walk – If you’re an artsy adventurer, Boulder does not disappoint. It’s home to over 25 galleries that showcase everything from painting, photography, and jewelry. If you’ll be there during the summer, check out the Pearl Street Arts Festival in July. It’s an art lover’s paradise.
- You can bike, jog, walk, or even skate the Boulder Creek path. The 5.5 paved miles run right through Boulder and are easily accessible for anyone on your trip. If you’re not feeling up to that much movement, you could also set up a picnic, go fishing, or just take a relaxing dip in the water.
- Alex and I rented e-bikes on one of our trips recently, and holy shit you guys, they are so fun! There are a couple different places you can rent from in Boulder and zoom all over town. Pedego Bikes will even take you on a tour through historic downtown Boulder.
Fall (September – October)
- Downtown Coffee Trail – Whatever your coffee craving is, you can find it somewhere downtown. Boulder has their own “coffee trail” that takes you from the East to West end of the downtown district. If it’s too much caffeine for one day, you can spread it out over your trip.
- Beer Trail – This trail also runs from East end to West, but this one is focused on beer and bar food. If you take on this trail, make sure you’re drinking responsibly, besties.
- Chautauqua Trailhead and Park – Great views overlooking Boulder and the gateway to the Flatirons. It’s a favorite among locals (and me) for hiking, picnicking, biking, rock and climbing. It’s conveniently located a mile and a half from Boulder and offers scenic views, a dining hall, concert hall, and all the trails your heart desires.
- Hiking spots – There are some great trails outside of downtown, like Eldorado and Boulder Canyon. At Eldorado Canyon, climbing is a popular choice. It’s one of the top climbing destinations in the world with over 500 technical rock climbing routes. If you opt for Boulder Canyon, you’ll also find amazing climbing and some spots for fishing.
Winter and Spring (November – May)
- Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing – There’s something relaxing about being out in nature in the winter. Betasso Preserve and Walker Ranch have miles of trails that are great for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, or you can easily hop on the road and head up to the mountains. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, about a 45-minute drive from Boulder, has a designated snowshoe trail that will lead you straight to some hot chocolate.
- Skiing – No, you can’t go skiing IN Boulder, but the locals love being so close to Eldora Ski Resort. In about 45 minutes you can be up on the mountain and still be back in Boulder for happy hour. It’s pretty low key compared to the bigger-name ski resorts in Colorado, so it’s great for newbies.
- Winterskate – This is for all my Christmas lovers. The area is turned into a dreamy winter wonderland, complete with a massive ice skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas movies, and more. It’s open from November to Februaryish and is just a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Boulder.
Above: Brainard Lake
Where to Eat
I firmly believe one of the best parts of vacation is trying all the new food. Don’t worry, Boulder has allll the choices.
- Lucile’s Creole Cafe – You’ll want to get up early to beat the crowd at this Boulder favorite! Get the beignets – trust me.
- SALT – Right on Pearl Street, this place is great if you’re looking for something a little more upscale. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time – they’re always busy.
- Blackbelly – Their menu changes with the seasons, offering breakfast and lunch with a more formal experience for dinner. They also have a butcher counter that sells hormone and antibiotic-free meats from local Colorado farms and ranches.
- Half Fast Subs – If you’re traveling with a picky eater, bring them here. They have over 100 different sandwiches on their menu. Plus, there’s happy hour seven days a week.
- Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant – For all of my fellow vegetarians, this place cooks with only locally grown produce that comes from the owner’s own farm.
- Rooftop decks and sidewalk patios – There are plenty of these in Boulder. A few popular spots are West End Tavern, Rosetta Hall, and Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant.
- Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives – These spots have been on TV, so that means they have to be good, right? Check out Foolish Craig’s, Zoe Ma Ma, and The Post.
What to Pack
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the weather in Colorado is unpredictable. If you’re planning on eloping in Boulder, pack for anything and everything! Speaking from experience (hail storms aren’t fun), it’s way better to be safe than sorry. Make sure these get in your suitcase:
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Clothing that’s easy to layer
- Daypack or back pack
- Sturdy shoes
- Rain jacket
Kenzie’s Favorite Vendors
Above: Lost Gulch Overlook
